(AN: Not even gonna say anything. You know what's happening :^)

content warnings from last part apply)


SUNDAY

VALENTINE'S DAY

"We see you. You care more about some Northern Mobian criminal than your own country? You're what's wrong with society today, fucking leftie. Kys"

Vector's unamused face stared at his phone, wondering when all of this was going to stop. Over the past ten minutes, he had been wiping out his DMs on Scrambler, all of them being spammed by people sending him threats, verbal abuse, and the like, all of which having one thing in common:

They all said something about his relation to Espio.

"Who the fuck cares about your-"

Vector didn't even finish reading this one when he saw the very obvious slur in this message, opting to just block the user and many more as he scrolled his thumb down.

"Why don't you pick up the ball and shut up, stop being political you mobian cunt."

Sounds like something Axel would say, minus the insult. Block.

"I USED TO LOVE YOU, BUT NOW I CAN'T BECAUSE YOU WANT TO DESTROY THIS COUNTRY!"

Block.

"try and cum up with that weirdo shit and ill glock your azz, you a freak lol"

What a friendly individual. Block.

"Can i have your feet pics"

Vector raised a brow at this.

"Temptin', but no thanks," he said to himself, and like the other negative messages he got…

Block.

The crocodile sighed, laying back in the chair he sat at in the dorm. Normally, he was of the type to believe in not giving people the reaction they wanted when they tormented people. Even though he never was the target of bullying until what happened between him and Julie-Su during prom, it was something he noticed when kids in his classes back in public school were bullied; they gave their tormentors what they wanted and reacted. Something that happened a lot, which in turn would lead to Vector having to step in and trying to get things to stop.

While Mighty said something similar a few days ago, the fact that it'd been about nine days since Connery's conference and people STILL hadn't let go of this… It felt like CCOCC was egging these people on, and the idea that these people giving him and Espio grief would just move on seemed less likely by the day.

While he could handle a bunch of babies throwing tantrums just because he was friends with someone from Yurashia that was being slandered and had lies thrown about him from left to right, the fact that Espio was getting the worst of it tore Vector's heart more and more when he heard what happened from him.

He knew he should confront Connery about all of this, as after all, if he didn't put on his little conference, NONE of this harassment would be happening. But part of him didn't want to say anything, as reacting to it would show the horse that he feared him. And Vector wasn't going to back down at all.

Connery could throw all the people he wanted to harass the crocodile, but Vector would take them all if it meant being there for Espio.

And plus, there was the even bigger elephant in the room too. The day marked on the calendar.

"I've done fucked up way too many times tryin' to let it all out," Vector thought to himself. "I ain't gonna let anyone or anythin' stop me."

But as if on cue, there was a knock at the door. Vector turned his head to the side, wondering if Espio was back from talking with Rotor… for some reason. He didn't expect them to suddenly become friends, whenever it happened.

Getting up from the chair, the crocodile walked over and opened the door, surprised to not see Espio, but instead, a large pile of gifts being held up by someone. Vector raised a brow at this, looking down at WHOEVER this was.

"Can I… help ya?"

And when the mystery person spoke, Vector's heart sank.

"Help me? Oh, you can help me, Vector!"

It was Julie-Su.

The crocodile's face had grown nasty as he realized what he was looking at. Had his ex tried to win back his love with… with all of THIS?! He hadn't seen her for quite some time outside of football games, so Vector thought she FINALLY took his advice and hit the road, but this felt like an even bigger insult. The crocodile smacked his forehead, shaking his head.

"What… in the absolute HELL… are ya doin'?" he asked. Julie-Su's arms softly shook as she peaked over from the side.

"What does it look like? Delivering your Valentines!" she replied.

"Julie… if ya actually THINK that after everythin' over the past semester that yeh'd think I'd come back to ya by givin' me gifts, ya CLEARLY think I'm shallow."

But Julie's face… surprisingly changed. He thought the echidna was going to get mad for rejecting her advances AGAIN, but what she said next came out of the blue.

"Tch, already thinking negatively? This isn't mine. It's from a BUNCH of girls from the cheerleading squad and the sorority house. And not only are some of these for you, but some are for your little roommate too. Now can I PLEASE come in and put these down, or do you want to be rude like you always are?"

Vector's eyes widened. "Wait… these… these ain't yers?"

"And besides, I… I took your advice. I have a new boyfriend now. I don't have a reason to go after you."

Now THAT was something that both surprised Vector and… and made him look like an asshole for already putting on an attitude with Julie-Su. Sure, he may not have LIKED her at all, but the fact this came from the left field…

"O-Oh… I… I didn't mean-" he raised up his hands. "I'm… I'm sorry…"

Julie-Su sighed. "Don't worry. I guess I can understand why you thought this. Me getting you a bunch of gifts, it seems very much like me, doesn't it?"

"I guess it does. Here, lemme get some of these fer ya. C'mon in."

Vector grabbed some of the gifts, which included boxed chocolates, small Valentine's Chao plushies, cards, among many others, and placed them on the desk as the echidna's arms were now slightly more free. She proceeded to place the rest of the gifts on Vector's bunk, rubbing her arms.

"Jeez… it took me so long just to get here and carry all this…" she whined. "Plus, we had to ask around first where your dorm was. Adding to that all those people around campus…"

Vector looked over at the echidna. "The protestors didn't bother ya, did they?"

"Surprisingly not. Although I did try to be fast. They're kind of a spectacle if you ask me."

Vector rolled his eyes. "I'll say. I'm gettin' a huge brunt of it."

Julie-Su turned towards Vector. "Are you going to tonight's event? I know that CCOCC is supposed to be protesting it again. I saw that Monk was there organizing it. I didn't expect him to be a part of that group, I just knew Connery was a part of it."

"Likely. I'm gonna go with Knux, Mighty, and hopefully Espio. Monk can stand outside and scream all he want, he ain't scarin' anyone. The dude is all bark and no bite."

"I suppose… but I've seen him here and there joining the protestors when not in class or doing something like be in the I building or even go to some training program that he told me about. Kit even told me that he's been outside all of the LGBTQ League's meetups, pretty much harassing and recording them."

Vector shook his head, a look of disbelief on his face. "What the fuck is that clown doin'?!"

"I don't know, you tell me. He's YOUR teammate."

"Yeah well, our relationship died when he outed me in front of the team. They all took it well, but I ain't in a rush to forgive him or anythin' like that."

"Well, that's rude of him. Makes you wonder what he's trying to achieve from doing this."

"Just Connery strokin' his little small ego, that's what."

"Yeah, when we all know you're the big man on campus."

Vector smiled softly, chuckling to himself. He wasn't going to lie… this was… this was the first positive interaction he's had with Julie-Su since the fated high school prom event. As much as he was still wanting to keep his distance from the echidna, it seems like she FINALLY got the message and moved on from him. But it was an interaction like this that reminded Vector why he dated the echidna back in high school, she was someone that just clicked alongside him, even if she did stab him in the back.

However, he still wasn't going to let his main goal slip from his grap. The big event was just in a few hours, and as time passed, Vector felt more and more butterflies flutter in his stomach. Even as the crocodile and echidna stood in the dorm, now completely silenced, the only thing on Vector's mind at that moment was Espi-

"Oi, Vector! Ain't Espio here yet?" an accented voice asked. Vector looked to the side, as did Julie-Su, only to see Alan standing by the doorway.

"Oh, Alan," Vector replied. "Espio ain't here right now, he went off to talk to one of mah teammates fer… SOME reason. He should be back soon though. Is it time fer his dulcimer practice?"

"Sure is!" the quail smiled. "Which helps since I've 'ad to play fer a few of the couples comin' up to me and askin' fer a song. Are you wanting a song too, love?"

Julie put her hand over her mouth, smiling and chuckling softly. "Well, I wouldn't mind…"

However, Vector was horrified, as Alan seemed to assume that the two were dating, and before he could raise his voice to object, the Mercian quail brought out his lute, strummed it for a bit, and began to sing.

"Crocodile and echidna,

Surely facing no stigma!

One made of strong steel,

The other dancing on her heel!

Strong loves scrawny,

That's why they say, "A-hey nonny nonny!"

Julie clapped as Vector didn't look too amused at the song, clearly seeing that Alan had been running out of lyrics all day. Plus, the insinuation… DIDN'T help…

"Anyway, mind if I stay here until Espio gets here, mate?" he asked after putting away his lute. "I hope I'm not intrudin' or nuthin'."

"I… suppose. Aintcha gotta get goin', Julie?"

Vector hoped that the echidna would get out of here faster before Alan came to any more conclusions.

"I suppose I oughta. Make sure you and that roommate of yours say thanks to EVERYONE who gave you something, okay? I'd hate for you to treat them like you did with me."

With that, Julie took her leave as Alan and Vector watched, the quail turning to face Vector.

"Who's the bird?" Alan asked.

"...someone who chirps way too much," Vector sighed.


LATER THAT NIGHT

The K building wasn't as loud or busy as it was when parties usually occurred, with the lounge area being the only thing that was dimly lit in plain sight. Despite this, the most loud voices in and around the area came from the sidewalk in front of the building. There, Monk, including several other mobians and Overlanders, all holding signs and chanting outside of the building as they continued protesting the event and its main organizer.

"We see you, snowflake degenerates!" Monk screamed. "We know your group organizes shoving pornography and the insane LGBT agenda down the throats of kids and normal people! This is how you indoctrinate them, you predators!"

The crowd continued to angrily rile up as their chants, shouting to 'shut down wokeism', 'LGBT is an abomination', among many others.

Meanwhile, Vector, Knuckles, and Mighty just stood staring outside the windows of the K building, watching the not even ten person protest happening outside.

"Idiots, all of them," Vector said, shaking his head. "What in the hell are they thinkin' tryin' to pull this shit?"

"I thought you said you weren't gonna focus on Monk tonight. That's why we decided to come," Knuckles replied.

"Yeah well, not when he yelled at us when we were on our way here. At least yeh two didn't get the brunt of it. What is he even thinkin' doin' this?"

"Thinking he's some political organizer," Mighty replied, taking a swig from a can of soda. "Gotta say though, considering everything in the past two weeks, it's good that this event is just calm and chill. Frankly we all need it."

Knuckles nodded. "As much as it's fun to make fun of Monk from afar, Mighty has a point. The whole point of us coming here was to unwind after the chaos of… well, everything. That, and maybe find us a date."

"I suppose... but this is small get-together where they're playing bingo, showin' movies, and later gonna have a dance like it's prom," Vector replied. "Either way, good luck, Knux, especially since I didn't see Rouge here."

"A bunch of the cheerleaders are here though. You know, I heard them talking about you, Vector."

"Really now?" Vector turned away from the window, the three walking away as they joined the main event back in the lounge area. "What'd they say?"

"Tiara was hoping that you liked the Chao plushie she gave you, and Ellie gave you a bunch of chocolates. Not just you either, a bunch of them mentioned Espio too. Look at that, these gals are gettin' swept off their feet by Espio. Oh, how the days of being the jock girls lusted over have now gone away…"

"Don't tell me you're jealous," Mighty replied, raising a brow. Just then, there was a loud BOOM as the three bounced up from surprise, seeing Razor standing by a table plugging his phone up to a large speaker. He tapped on it a few times before setting it down, what sounded like a radio station coming through.

" krzz… krzz…..u're listenin' to JSR-F, this is DJ Professor K, baby!" the voice from the speaker boomed out. "It's a quiet Sunday evenin' here on the 14th of Feburary, perfect for you and yo' bae's night out together. What's that? Listenin' to this all lonely and completely-"

As the announcer of the radio station continued, Knuckles groaned.

"Gaia, NOT JSR-F…" he bemoaned.

"What's wrong with them? I like them," Vector replied.

"Yeah, I liked them too! But then they started playing that fucking annoying ass birthday cake song over and over, I got SO sick of it…"

"Ten mobiums they'll play it again tonight," Mighty added.

"More like twenty…"

As a song began to play, Vector looked over at the table with one of the LGBTQ League organizers hosting a game of Valentine's Bingo. With multiple boxes of pizza nearby, there wasn't much for Vector to do as he waited for one major thing tonight:

For Espio to arrive after getting off from community service.

"Hey, I'm gonna hit up the bingo table. Wanna join?"

Mighty smiled. "Sounds like it could be fun! I was actually curious about that speed dating thing they have on the second floor. Wanna see what that's about after we're done here?"

"I suppose, but man, you think this place could be… a little more lively?" Knuckles replied.

"As if yer lively durin' parties! Ya stay by us half the time!" Vector replied as the three started walking forward, passing by a table with multiple bowls of free condoms inside. As Mighty chuckled, Vector felt his anxiety only increase tenfold.

"C'mon… this whole event is until almost midnight… kinda late, but that means ya still got time…" he thought to himself. "Hurry it up, Espio…"


10:22 P.M.

Espio was finally getting off from community service.

The chameleon's nerves had been at an all time high since arriving earlier today. All night, he checked the clock, counting down the time he had until he got to leave. Even as he sat in Officer Wachowski's police unit, the chameleon tried his best not to fidget, even though he began to bounce his right leg from anxiety.

"What's wrong with you?" the Overlander officer asked. "You look like you're about to piss your pants, Espio."

Espio wasn't sure what this meant, but he just wanted the officer to drive faster. He knew there wouldn't be long until the end of the LGBTQ League's event, and even though he had talked with Rotor about asking Razor and Nicky to extend the event an extra hour or so, he prayed that Vector hadn't left.

"Vector… I will soon tell you," he thought to himself. "Please… let nothing ruin my chances…"

All throughout the car ride, he could only think about one person, one thing: Vector.

He thought about everything both Vector and Valdez had explained about Valentine's day to him, something that DEFINITELY wasn't in Gojo. He thought about how he was going to tell the crocodile, wondering if people did such a thing like he did back home even with omiai being the main way couples got married. He thought about his own parents, wondering if they too ever expressed their declarations of love hidden behind the mask of leadership. He didn't even care if what he was doing would be seen as awkward, since he was NOT used to doing such a thing, even if he had practiced using the pillows in the dorm as a stand-in for Vector.

Vector… Vector… Vector…

The crocodile only filled his thoughts more and more, the thought of longing for someone so… so amazing being the only thing he could focus on, not even caring about how tired he was from community service. He wouldn't rest until Vector knew the truth…

Eventually, the two made it back to campus, and Espio almost wanted to zoom past Officer Wachowski and to the K building where Vector said the event would be taking place. However, he was still trying to be on his best behavior, and so he had to walk with the Overlander back to the dorm. As he did, they walked past a group, including Monk, holding signs and yelling. As Espio and Officer Wachowski came into peripheral vision, the purple gorilla pointed at the chameleon.

"Agh!" he sputtered. "Him! That's him, one of the biggest pushers of this degenerate agenda! Hey, when are you gonna learn that men dress like men and women dress like women?!"

The crowd continued to yell at him as the officer put his hand on Espio's back, moving him faster.

"Don't worry about them, son," Officer Wachowski said. "We have some of the other campus officers making sure they don't cause too much of a disturbance."

Espio stared back at the group, fiery hatred in their eyes as he couldn't seem to understand what they were yelling about. He soon turned around, the two making their way into the A building as they shut the door behind them as Officer Wachowski got out his phone and tapped away.

"From where you are right now," the Overlander said. "You've clocked about sixty-eight hours of community service. You're halfway there, Espio. Make sure you continue being on your best behavior. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm ready to clock out for the night. I'll see you tomorrow, or sometime next week."

With that, the officer turned the other way outside as Espio watched him from the windowed door. With him slowly walking out of sight, the chameleon's eyes slowly narrowed as he waited to make his way back to the K building. He wasn't sure if there was another way in besides the usual door Vector and his friends used, which meant he would have to pass by Monk and his group.

"No worries," he thought to himself, bringing his hands together and softly reciting the chant for Chroma Camo, soon disappearing as he opened the door. Thankfully, there was no one outside aside from Monk and his group, so the chameleon was able to jump from the stairs of the A building down onto the pasture, landing gracefully as he began to look for the first place to mask his footsteps. Looking around, Espio could see the trees close by the concrete path and opted to jump from one side of pasture to another, climbing up the tree slowly as he scouted out his next location; a flower bed just in front of him and feet away from the K building.

"I'm almost there…" he thought to himself, turning around on the tree's trunk as he positioned himself. Swinging his body back and forth, Espio jumped and landed on the dirt of the flower bed, now needing to climb the steps to the K building. Thankfully, as long as he was quick about opening the door, none of them would notice…

Such a way of thinking was correct as Espio sneaked up the steps, almost getting stepped on by a group leaving the building and chatting among each other. He turned around to look at Monk, and with all of them seemingly distracted, Espio grabbed the door handle and quickly opened it up, heading inside.

Sighing, Espio held his chest as he put his hands together, once again chanting the Chroma Camo incantation as he now appeared visible. He began to walk forward into the building, seeing Sonic and Manic with instruments in their hand, with several other people the chameleon didn't recognize by the green hedgehog.

"We wanted to thank everyone for comin'!" Manic said. "I know there's a few dicks outside, but as Razor said, don't give a flying fuck 'bout them! You're here having a good time! Now, we're here to play you select songs from my band, which is gonna be playing live at the Night Babylon gay bar here in Central City next Friday at seven!"

There were cheers all around the audience as the hedgehog siblings looked at each other.

"And of course, you can't forget to help yourselves to drinks prepared by my bro and I right by the pizza table! Makes up for what we had to throw out after the Badniks lost the College Bowl!"

"Alright guys, gals, and non-binary pals!" Sonic said, holding his red guitar tightly as he walked up to the microphone at the front. "You all ready?"

There were more cheers and claps as Sonic counted down from one to three. He began to play as Manic followed up, then the rest of the band. Espio covered his ears, not expecting them to be so loud as he looked around, wondering where Vector was. He walked all around the crowd, still holding his ears as his head moved back and forth, wondering if he was too late.

"No… please don't tell me he's gone!" he thought to himself, starting to panic. "He promised me he would be here…! He said so!

He couldn't panic now. Espio knew it wasn't like Vector to break a promise. He was SOMEWHERE in this building, and if Espio had to scour from top to bottom to find the one he loved, he would.

And that's when, off by one corner by the TV area that Mark and his friends played their video games at, Vector, Knuckles, and Mighty all stood by with drinks in hand. They hadn't noticed Espio due to the crowd, but the chameleon didn't even make himself noticeable either.

Because he watched Vector.

As the three friends moved to the sounds of the heavy music, Espio stared at the crocodile moshing along, bright lights coming from the room next to him shining on him and making him… almost sparkle. With his arm and hand moving along and him jumping, his tail bouncing with each jump, Espio felt like he had been hypnotized.

Why was it that the crocodile looked… more beautiful than he ever had before? The way the lights shined on him, the way he moved to the music… There was a rhythm there that was as if he was the main show, not the hedgehogs playing their music.

Never before had Vector seemed more like a god at that point, the crocodile embodying the definition of perfection. He was as beautiful as the moon itself shining outside…

As the song came to an end and the crowd cheered, Espio shook his head, realizing that it was over. It was now his time to make his move. Vector performed his show for the chameleon, whether he realized it or not. Now, it was his turn.

He couldn't mess this up… He couldn't…

Espio walked past the crowd and soon, towards Vector, Knuckles, and Mighty. The crocodile's eyes widened as a look of joy appeared on his face.

"Yo! Yer here, Espio! And just in time too, it's the final event of the night!" he said.

"Well, at least this party got a LOT more lively," Knuckles added. "'Course, big blue here can play a mean instrument."

"I'll say! I'm surprised he hasn't joined Manic's band yet!" Mighty replied. "Hey, how was community service?"

"It was good," Espio replied, hands over his waist. "What is going on?"

"Oh, they're doin' a small Valentine's dance and just playin' stuff on the radio, although it looks like Sonic, his bro, and his band decided to do live show. They ain't half bad!" Vector replied. "C'mon Espio, join along! I even saved ya yer favorite!"

The crocodile held up a can of Diet Chao Cola, tossing it to the chameleon. He was able to catch it in midair, thankful for the drink as he was a little thirsty. Getting the can open without help this time, it sputtered and clicked open as Espio took his first drink, glad that there was no alcohol this time compared to the last party he went to.

As he was a quarter of a way done with the drink, the band behind Espio began to sound check very briefly before beginning onto the next song, Vector, Knuckles, Mighty, and everyone around them cheering as the chameleon turned around.

He would have put his hands over his ears again, but with the crocodile by him… it was like his ears tuned out the music and focused more on every noise coming from the quarterback. In fact, it was no longer the case that Espio was staring at the band.

Once again, he turned around, and focused all his attention on Vector. It was like one by one, the crowd disappeared until only Vector was left.

Espio couldn't help but sense a feeling of deja vu, remembering that this is what happened during the New Year's festival back in Genshu, the crowd disappearing until Vector in shiromuku appeared in front of him. But unlike the feelings of panic he felt back then, Espio knew what his feelings were now, what it meant to have feelings for another man.

He wanted Vector to stop dancing, notice him at that moment, and acknowledge him, but he and the crocodile were living in two different worlds at this moment.

That was, until Vector did open his eyes.

"C'mon, Espio! Dun just stand there! Join along!" he said, the chameleon feeling his head go warm as he realized Vector was inviting him to… to dance alongside him.

It wasn't the first time Espio had danced, as he had done so multiple times during parties, even if his definition of dancing was much different and he only really copied what Vector and his friends did. But being invited to dance alongside him… it was…

No, he couldn't describe it. There was no way he COULD describe it in words. Instead, he only let his body language do the speaking for him, trying to keep up with the crocodile as Vector even slowed himself down for Espio to follow along. The two looked down at each other, Espio feeling his heart pound in his chest more.

"Tell him… tell him… tell him… tell him… tell him…" the voice in his mind said, until it and the sound of his heartbeat was the only noise he could hear. His eyes only focused on the person he had feelings for so long for, the rest of the world not mattering to Espio at that moment. For that time until the song ended, Vector was his sole world.

When the song did come to a close, Espio blinked as he still felt his heart race, his palms sweaty as he held his can of cola. He joined Vector and his friends in their cheering, even if his voice wasn't as loud as theirs.

Just then, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Say, I'm gonna go pick up some drinks. Wanna join?" Vector asked. Espio looked up at the crocodile before nodding quickly. The quarterback would relay the message to his friends as the two made their way to a table some feet away, Espio watching as Vector stood in front of the table of food. However, after a minute of just… standing there… Vector didn't pick up a single drink. What was going on?

"Vector?" he asked, before the crocodile suddenly crouched down and grabbed Espio's shoulders.

"Espio, I-" he said before cutting himself off, looking down at the floor. "There's somethin' I need to tell ya. It's super important, but… I can't do it here."

Something… he needs to tell him?

"I do… too…" Espio slowly replied, realizing that he was making his move without even thinking about it. This was it, there was no going back. He couldn't just walk back on everything, he was GOING to tell Vector the truth, even if they had to move somewhere else.

"Yeh do as well?" the crocodile asked, looking… almost surprised. Espio could see his breathing hitch before smiling. "Good. We can talk 'bout it, but… there's no free place fer us here."

"The dorm?" Espio replied.

"Not half bad, but…"

That's when Vector shut his mouth, trying to think of SOMETHING as his face changed. His suddenly smiled as his eyes widened.

"I got it! I know where we can go! We can sneak outta here back to the A buildin' so we avoid Monk and his little circlejerk," Vector pointed at a door at the back of the lounge area. "We just gotta go back to the dorm to pick up somethin' fer where we need to go. Mind goin' on a journey with me?"

As much as Espio wanted to reply that he would cross the fires of hell for Vector, he only just nodded up at the crocodile.


The sound of footsteps walking on pavement were heard as the two reptiles made their way to their destination: the football field.

So much happened under these lights, so many memories made from games to being here with Espio… And now, here he was, the setting of where he would tell the chameleon everything. His heart beat as his entire body sweat, but Vector tried his best to ignore it.

"Ya cold, Espio?" he asked, the two continuing to walk towards their destination. Espio shook his head as he looked at the strong, heavy lights of the stadium.

"Here?" the chameleon asked.

"Coach gave me somethin' so we dun have to climb anythin'. Plus, no one should be around here anyway. Far away from the party, far away from Monk, all of them. It'll just be me and yeh, Espio."

Espio only stared at Vector, something that didn't go unnoticed to the crocodile as they walked down the steps to the stadium. Silence filled their ears as they soon found their way to the main gate of the stadium, Vector walking forward.

"Ya can thank coach fer this," he said, digging into his pocket and pulling out the key that the polar bear gave to him after his quarrel with the purple gorilla on the night of the semifinals of the College Bowl. He walked forward and grabbed the padlock that sealed the gate, putting the key inside as he turned it. The padlock opened up as he removed the shackle from the latch of the gate, swinging it open for Espio.

"Well? Gentlemen first," he said, Espio looking at the field then at Vector. He slowly began to walk forward as Vector followed suit, the two walking onto the brightly lit field. Vector could see the empty bleachers surrounding him, the lonely scoreboard and field posts sitting where they had last been. The two continued to walk silently on the pastured field, feeling the grass crunch beneath their shoes as they walked past the 20 yard zone.

"To think, yeh saw yer first football related thing here all those months ago," Vector said. "Remember? Ya were readin' a book while we were all practicin'. It's where ya met coach too."

"I…" Espio replied, looking down. "Remember…"

"So many memories here… Good… and bad. Mostly good though…"

Finally, the two found themselves in the middle of the field, stopping.

"This part of the field is where I'm the most natural," Vector said. "I wait fer Bull to hand me the ball, and I become a hero to mah team, and a villain to the other. As fun as it is to play, bein' a quarterback ain't a chip off the block. Yer the captain to everyone, yeh dictate where everyone plays, and ya have the entire world on yer shoulders as ya play."

He slowly walked forward as he talked, turning around to look at Vector.

"D'ya ever feel like that, Espio? Like ya got so much on yer shoulders, expectations like there's no tomorrow?"

Espio was silent as he closed his eyes, looking away from Vector.

"Espio… I… As much as people like to believe that I'm just some sorta hard headed jock, I ain't like that. There's so much that goes on that people dun know about me. Even I hide stuff from others, even… even I've done so fer ya," Vector continued, his heart beating quickly. "It hurts me that I have to do it, Espio…"

"But… you are strong, Vector," Espio replied.

"Easy fer ya to say. Yer the one who's done so much, Espio. Ya found a bunch of dicks who vandalized this place. Ya managed to get good grades, even with struggles in English, ya manage so much stuff… I ain't as good as ya, man."

There was suddenly a look of slight discomfort on Espio's face as he still continued to look away. Vector wasn't sure what was going on, but the chameleon needed to hear this…

"Lies…" Espio said. Vector was taken aback by this statement.

"Lie?..."

"I am not… strong. I am a fu-fool."

"Dun say that, dude! Just because ya got arrested and went to trial doesn't mean yer a fool! We all make mistakes, all do stuff that we can forgive!"

"No…" Espio's teeth began to grit. Why was he getting mad? "No, I can… not…"

"Espio, listen to me. I mean every word I say! Honest!" Vector walked towards Espio, crouching down and grabbing his shoulders like he did earlier. But they were suddenly slapped away by the chameleon, now looking more angry than seconds ago.

"No! Vector, you… you are la-lying! I am NOT strong! I lie! About… about…"

Espio put his hand over his mouth, realizing what he had done as he turned away from Vector. He then put it over his face, mouth falling into an expression of sadness.

"I ha-hurt… so many. I hurt Valdez…" he said. "I ha-hurt my mother. And I… I hurt you…"

"Espio…" Vector's heart fell, wondering where Espio was going with this. "Wha… whaddya mean?"

Espio continued to look down at the floor as he then looked at Vector with a look of pain in his face.

"I do not know who I am. I am… I am…"

The chameleon couldn't say more as he tried his best to cover up his emotions. Vector, with a look of pain on his face, walked over to Espio, crouched down, and… hugged him.

"It's okay, Espio. Ya dun have to hide it anymore," he said. "It's okay if yer not as okay as I thought ya were. I'm here for ya, man."

Espio grabbed onto Vector's shirt tightly as the two stood in the middle of the of the field, the sound of buzzing from the lights being the only thing they heard.

"Vector… about me…" Espio said. "I… mother wants me to be…? Become… me-merried?"

Vector's face fell into one of shock and horror as he put Espio in front of him, not believing what he heard.

"Wha… MARRIED?!" he screamed. "Whaddya mean MARRIED?!"

"Mother wants that… for me. Ba-But… I… I cannot…"

Espio continued to hold onto Vector's shirt as the crocodile processed everything so far. His mom wanted to marry him off? When did THIS happen?! Why was he not told about this? Had Espio hidden this from him for so long? And...

"Why cantcha?"

A look of discomfort appeared on Espio's face as he tried to pull his grip away from Vector's shirt, trying his best to say something. Vector, in response, held on tighter in the hopes that Espio could calm down and say what he wanted to say.

But there was a wiggle in his brain that didn't go away. One that told Vector what he wanted to happen was going to happen. He could only breathe soft, brief breaths as Espio tried his best to contain his composure.

"I cannot merry. Because… I do not la-love…" he said.

"Ya dun love who yer mom wants ya to marry?" Vector asked as Espio replied. "Then… who do ya love?..."

Espio finally pulled away from Vector, turning his back towards him and walking a couple feet away from him. His head was down looking at the floor as the crocodile wondered what he was about to say.

And then, two words came from Espio's mouth. Two words that he could tell were painful for the chameleon to say, even if they were the words Vector had been waiting so long to hear.

"You, Vector."

Even though Vector's mind wanted to have a giant fireworks celebration, his body did nothing and stayed locked in place. He could tell how painful this was for Espio, a secret he must have hidden for so long.

And then, that's when it began. A very soft sob as Espio's body shook.

"So long… I feel this, Vector. I la-learn about the word gay. I learn about my love… for you. And I… I feel confi-confused. I do not know this in Gojo, but… my ha-heart… say that you…"

Espio put his finger on his mouth, trying to think about what to say in English. However, Vector didn't care, as he walked over to Espio and once again, crouched down to his height.

"Espio… ya… I didn't think…" he said as Espio still didn't look at him.

"But… I still do not know… I do not know how to love. Mother and father… never love like I love you, Vector. You are… are the-"

"Espio. Espio, look at me."

The chameleon turned around as his eyes were puffy and red, looking up at Vector.

"Espio…" Vector continued. "I… I know yer circumstances weren't the easiest. Trust me, learnin' to come out, findin' out feelings, it's… it's a journey, lemme tell ya. Ya probably think I'm gonna hate ya because I'm some straight dudebro. But that ain't the truth, Espio."

He then proceeded to hug Espio again. "Because I'm here for ya, Espio. And I'm flattered… and thankful…"

"Thank... f-ful…?" Espio asked. Vector looked down at the chameleon in his arms.

"Espio… I never thought a time would come that I would get close to ya. I simply took ya under mah wing because Headmaster Robotnik wanted me to, and I thought it would make me look good. But as I got to know ya more, ya showed me so much 'bout yer life I would have never thought possible. Think 'bout it all, everythin' from Gojo ya showed me, from trinkets like the omahmory, to holidays like that Setsubun thing! And I did the same fer ya, no?"

"Yes…" Espio shook his head. "Ku… Christmas… Halloween… Ba-Valentine's… and fu-football…"

"But think 'bout every other memory we had, Espio. In spite of everything that happened that wasn't the best, like all the fights we got into between other people, in spite of exam seasons, hell, even in spite of those damn protestors, there's one thing in common… The joy I get outta livin' life with ya in it…"

Espio's eyes widened as his scales grew pinker and pinker.

"Vector…"

"Espio…."

There was more silence between the two as the chameleon once again looked uncertain.

"What's wrong?"

"Vector… thank you… ba… but I worry… you do not see…"

"Whaddya mean?"

"I… I do not know what I want. This is not what my fami… ly wants. I ma-must merry…"

"Espio, dun say that! Yer family ain't yeh!"

"But… I cannot-"

"Dun say anymore. Yer family, hell, ALL of Gojo itself, dun think 'bout that! It's not about what THEY want, this is YER life, YER destiny, YER feelings! Have ya lived like this? All yer life… people just told ya to do things and ya did it without questionin' it? Fer once, stop thinkin' 'bout the approval of others and think 'bout what... what Espio wants. It's okay to tell me… What do ya want? What is yer desire?"

There was more uncomfortable silence as the two felt the lights shine brighter and brighter around them, the sound of a soft breeze now flying overhead as Espio looked down. He spoke only two words, two words he already spoke, but carried just as much weight as last time.

"You, Vector."

Espio looked up at the crocodile with a pained look, but Vector could see his expression change as the crocodile felt the large, warm smile on his face.

"Espio… d'ya know what ya did?" he asked.

"What?"

"Ya thought fer yerself. Think 'bout everythin' ya did comin' here. Yer mom didn't want ya interactin' with people like me, but ya defied her, and look at ya now. Yer standin' here in front of me, confessin' yer love because ya thought fer yerself."

"Ba… but I do not know how to love-"

"It's okay. Not everyone knows how to the first time. It's natural for me."

Espio's eyes widened as he looked up at Vector in awe. Vector felt his tail wag softly as his body became completely warm.

"Vector…"

"Espio… didn't ya know? I loved ya too."

That was the last thing he could hear before the crocodile moved his face forward, putting his lips on Espio's and cushioning his horn above his upper snout.


Romance was a concept that, while not foreign to the chameleon, was an experience he never had before in his life. All he knew about was what he had seen in his life, from his parents living their day to day life in the Dojo, to the guards of the Shinobi Clan who had gotten married at the shrine in the village, to the stories, plays, andlegends he heard from the nanny or during festivals.

But at that moment, what he was experiencing… it was nothing like he had ever experienced before. Vector had his lips on his own, the chameleon's eyes wide as he realized what was happening.

The crocodile had kissed him…

He felt like collapsing to his knees. Vector… Vector felt the same as he did. All this time, all this panic, all this fear… he thought Vector would hate him. He thought Vector would want no kind of friendship if he learned the truth, and yet… all this time…

The crocodile felt the same as he did.

The butterflies in his stomach felt like they were about to burst out of his stomach and flutter into the moon, his nerves tingling as his greatest desire had finally come true.

He didn't know how to kiss period, as he had never done such a thing, but he still tried his best to return it as Vector put his large hands on Espio's smaller hands. The chameleon could even feel Vector's teeth on his tongue, not afraid of how sharp they were, but a sense of love and comfort from them. No matter how bad he was at this, it was like every other time he tried something new. It was okay to make mistakes, it was okay to not be a perfectionist.

A sentiment that was further exacerbated by how, defying all of Gojo, defying the wants of the Brides, he kissed the one he truly loved.

As the two parted from their kiss, the two looked at each other as Espio was lost for words. What did you do after you kissed? Did you do it again?

"I can safely say that…" Vector suddenly said, stroking Espio's face with his thumb. "Even though I can't stop ya returnin' to Gojo… I ain't afraid of it anymore… if it means I get to tell ya how much I love ya, Espio."

Espio looked up in awe, unsure of what to say. He finally got his wish, so… now what?

"I…" he said. "I fear my mind. I fear love. But… no more."

He wasn't sure how to quite tell Vector that he was no longer afraid of his feelings, no longer afraid of backlash from anyone or anything in English. Too long he had suffered with this fear, and today, it had officially died.

"Dun worry, I know what yer tryin' to say," Vector held out his hand. "C'mon, we've had a long day. We can talk more 'bout this tomorrow. Let's head back to the dorm fer tonight. Together, shall we?"

Espio looked down at the hand in front of him, slowly inching towards it as Vector proceeded to wrap it around Espio's. The chameleon could only stare at the sight in front of him, a new feeling entering his mind as he felt more closer to Vector than he ever had before.

Vector guided Espio out of the field, locking it up, and held his hand the entire way back to the dorm as the moon shined down on the two. The sound of footsteps once again filled their ears as they opted to once again avoid Monk and his group.

And so, as they took the long way, they were hidden very well as they suddenly began to hear something in the distance from the K building.

"You're listening to JSR-F, entertainin' you on this Valentine's Day. Are you ready fo' this next song? All the way from Studiopolis, it's Solita 'da Doll's latest single, 'A Lullaby'. Grab your loved one and dance to this tune…"

Immediately, a song began to play as the sound of a piano was heard. The two reptiles stopped where they were, the sound of the song filling their ears as a voice spoke up, her sweet voice surrounding the two.

"Baby, don't you ever doubt my love.

Yes, I will be there,

for you, my dear;

come when I shall,

I'll be there.

Don't you worry; you can trust me with all your dreams."

"D'ya hear that?" Vector asked, looking down at Espio. Espio looked back up at the one love, wondering what the lyrics were saying.

"What is it?" he asked in between the singer saying her lyrics.

"Listen carefully."

"Baby, you will never lose my love.

Yes, I promise you,

this heart is true,

with my lips over you.

Don't you worry; you'll be in my arms forever… Oh…"

"I wantcha to listen to the song," Vector continued. "Listen to it all and take it in." Espio nodded his head, turning back to the K building.

"Think of me when loneliness bring you down, baby.

You know I am here for you; always true.

Come to me when you need a special hug, baby.

You know I am here for you."

"Understand what's she's tryin' to sing?" asked Vector as Espio turned his head.

"A… little," Espio replied. "Why are you ask… asking me?"

"Because…"

Just then, Vector stood in front of Espio, slowly grasping Espio's hands and connecting them together as he smiled.

"Everythin' she's singin', I want that fer ya, Espio."

"Baby, you will never be alone;

Yes, I promise you,

this heart is true,

with my lips over you.

Don't you worry;

you can trust me with all your dreams.. Mm…"

And then, as she was in the middle of the verse, Vector slowly began to do some sort of slow dance. Espio was confused, but… he found himself gazed by the look in Vector's amber eyes. He didn't know if lovers did such a thing, but as he followed Vector's steps, it was like the two were closer than they had ever been before. Even though it was just moments ago that they had confessed their feelings, it was like the world obscured around them as Vector and Espio were the only two people left in the world. The crocodile smiled down at the chameleon as Espio felt a sense of passion he had never felt before in his life, a sense of being… wanted. A sense of being truly loved.

"Think of me when loneliness bring you down, baby.

You know I am here for you; always true.

Come to me when you need a special hug, baby.

You know I am here for you."

No longer did they care about pushback from others. Connery, Monk, the protestors, Gojo, his mother and the Brides, they didn't exist in the world Vector thrust Espio into. All he had to do was be in Vector's arms, and he would forever find his protection, as would Vector.

They didn't even need to speak as they danced, their steps doing the speaking for them as no one but themselves expierenced the magical moment.

"Think of me when loneliness bring you down, baby.

You know I am here for you; always true.

Come to me when you need a special hug, baby.

You know I am here for you; always true.

Think of me when loneliness bring you down, baby.

You know I am here for you; always true.

Come to me when you need a special hug, baby.

You know I am here for youuuuuuu~…"

As the song came to a close, Vector crouched down, and brought his head towards Espio's. Careful to not stab himself with the chameleon's horn, he touched Espio's forehead with his own, closing his eyes and grinning as Espio felt a feeling he never felt before.

Passion.

He returned the forehead touch, the two staying still with their hands connected where they stood for a few moments as their romantic dance came to a close.


It was close to midnight when the two reptiles returned back to the dorm, the quiet night now evident from outside as the moon's light shined from the window. Oddly, there was one different thing in the dorm that was out of place.

Espio wasn't in his bed.

Instead, the two reptiles found themselves in Vector's bed, the crocodile convincing Espio to sleep with him tonight. Espio obliged quickly, with Vector smiling as he did.

"I'm glad yer okay with this, Espio…" he said. "I wanted to make sure ya weren't uncomfortable with it, especially since… yer my boyfriend now."

Boyfriend…

It was a word Espio heard seldomly watching Setsu and Sakura Taisen, meaning lover from what he understood. And to him, there was no other word that felt apassionate as the word he could now use to describe Vector.

"He is… my lover," Espio thought to himself as he found himself in bed, wrapped around Vector's arms. The crocodile had already fallen asleep at this point, but Espio's mind had the entire night replayed from start to finish.

Even though he couldn't get his dream journal out, he knew what to write for tonight's entry.

"My dream finally came true…" Espio said to himself as he stared at Vector, the crocodile's soft snores melting his heart. "He felt the same…"


END OF CHAPTER 32